Blue Cross Community Health PlansSM

Adult Wellness Guidelines

IL_BCCHP_MRK_ADULTWELLNESSGUIDE19 Approved 08272019 235538.1018

Making Preventive Care a Priority

Adult Health - For ages 18 and over

Preventive care is needed for adults. People who make good basic health choices can boost their own health and well-being. These are some smart choices you can make:• Eat healthy food

• Get regular exercise

• Do not use tobacco

• Limit alcohol use

• Try to keep a healthy weight

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ScreeningsWeight Every doctor visit or at least once a year

Body Mass Index (BMI) Every doctor visit or at least once a year

Blood Pressure (BP) Every visit or at least once a year

Colon Cancer Screening

Adults ages 50 to 75 should test for colorectal cancer using one of these methods:• Guaiac Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT)

every year • Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) every year• FIT-DNA test (also called the stool DNA

test) every one to three years• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every

10 years and FIT every year• Colonoscopy every 10 years• CT Colonography every 5 years*

Diabetes Screening

People who have high blood pressure, are overweight, or have cardiovascular risk factors should be screened. All others should be screened starting at age 45.*

Hepatitis C (HCV) Screening

A one-time screening for adults born between 1945 and 1965 and people who are at high risk for infection

HIV Screening Adults ages 18 to 65, older adults at increased risk and all pregnant women should be screened

Immunizations (Vaccines)Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis (Td/Tdap)

Get Tdap vaccine once, then get a Td booster every 10 years

Influenza (Flu) Every year

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

• 3 doses for women ages 18 to 26 if not already given

• 3 doses for men ages 18 to 21 if not already given*

Herpes Zoster (Shingles) One-time dose for adults ages 60 and over

Varicella (Chicken Pox) Two doses if there is no evidence of immunity

Pneumococcal (Pneumonia)

One dose of PCV 13 and one dose of PCV 23 at least one year after PCV 13* for adults ages 65 and over

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

One or two doses for adults born in 1957 or later who have no evidence of immunity

Women’s HealthWomen have their own unique health care needs. To stay well, women should make regular screenings a priority. In addition to the services listed in the Adult Health section, women should also discuss the recommendations listed on this chart with their doctor.

Women’s Recommendations

Mammogram• At least every 2 years for women ages 50 to 74

• Women ages 40 to 49 should discuss the risks and benefits of screening with their doctor

Cholesterol

Women who have an increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) should begin screenings at age 20. The risk factors for CHD are diabetes, smoking, obesity, hypertension, personal history of CHD or atherosclerosis or family history of heart disease. Screenings are recommended every 5 years for women whose cholesterol levels come close to needing treatment. After age 65, screenings are not as important, because lipid levels are less likely to increase.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Women ages 21 to 65: Pap test every 3 years

Another option for ages 30 to 65: Pap test with HPV test every 5 years

Women who have had a hysterectomy or are over age 65 may not need a Pap test*

Osteoporosis Screening

Beginning at age 65, or at age 60 if risk factors are present*

Low-Dose Aspirin UseWomen ages 50 to 59 should talk with their doctor about using low-dose aspirin for the prevention of heart disease and colorectal cancer.

Men’s HealthMen should get care as needed and make smart choices. This includes following a healthy lifestyle and getting suggested preventive care services. If men follow a game plan for better overall health, they will be more likely to win at wellness. In addition to the services listed in the Adult Health section, men should also discuss the suggestions shown in the chart to the right with their doctor.

Men’s Recommendations

Cholesterol

Men age 35 and older should be screened. Men ages 20 to 35 should be screened if they are at high risk for coronary heart disease. Talk with your doctor about when to begin this screening, and how often you should get it.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of this screening.*

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

If you have ever smoked, you should have an ultrasound once between the ages of 65 to 75.

Low-Dose Aspirin UseMen ages 50 to 59 should talk with their doctor about using low-dose aspirin for the prevention of heart disease and colorectal cancer.

Learn more! Additional sources of health information include: • www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/

prevention/index.html

• www.cancer.org/healthy/index

• www.cdc.gov/healthyliving/

You probably already talk to your doctor about nutrition and exercise, losing weight and stopping smoking. These are other topics you may want to talk about with your doctor:

• Dental health

• Problems with drugs or alcohol

• Sexual behavior and sexually transmitted diseases

• Feelings of depression

• Domestic violence

• Accident and injury prevention

• Preventing falls, especially if you are 65 or older

* Recommendations may vary. Talk to your doctor about when to start having screenings and how often you should have them, especially if you are at a higher risk for certain illnesses.

Coverage for preventive care services at no cost share may vary depending on your specific benefit plan and use of network providers. For questions, please call the Customer Service number on the back of your ID card.SOURCES: The recommendations from these sources are not intended as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor about what works for you.Advisory Committee on Immunization PracticesAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality The American Academy of Family PhysiciansThe American Cancer SocietyThe American Diabetes Association The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

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